On this episode our correspondent, Emily Rendell-Watson, explores food security in Edmonton. Food security was the subject of ECF’s very first Vital Signs report, published back in 2013. This year, on our 10th anniversary of Vital Signs, we are revisiting that topic and taking a deep dive into Edmonton’s food security landscape to see what has changed over time, for better or worse. For example, the percentage of Albertans experiencing severe food insecurity more than doubled between 2011 and 2022. The use of Edmonton’s food bank has increased too. In 2013, the food bank served 12,677 people per month. In 2022, […]
Episode 147 – Black Equity in Alberta Rainforest
On this episode our correspondent, Aubrianna Snow, learns about the Black Equity in Alberta Rainforest (BEAR) initiative and how the philosophy of Ubuntu (meaning: I am because we are) can help us better understand their approach to health equity. BEAR was founded by the Ribbon Rouge Foundation to strengthen health equity in African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) communities. ECF has been honoured to provide funding to help with the first three years of the initiative. BEAR takes an intersectional approach to securing the health, wealth and wellbeing of the ACB community. They engage with community members, conduct research and mobilize […]
Episode 146 – Louise Casemore: Beautiful Failures, Creative Growth
On this episode, we hear an inspiring conversation about the power of plays and growing up in Edmonton’s scrappy theatre scene with Louise Casemore. Louise is an award-winning playwright and self-described “Prairie Nuisance.” She is a dramaturg, and in 2021 she published a national study on new play development titled “Surveying the Landscape.” Louise also has an interest in human resources. She is an artist advocate and consults with arts organizations around policy creation and organizational audits. Human resources in the performing arts is not only an area of focus for her, she is creatively inspired about the language and […]
Episode 145 – The Melisizwe Brothers
On this episode, we meet The Melisizwe Brothers. Marc, Seth and Zacary James began training in music as early as ages 4 to 7. Encouraged by their families, and with each other’s support, they have since established themselves on the music scene. The Melisizwe Brothers have performed internationally and have appeared on several television shows including Netflix’s Mowtown Magic, Showtime at the Apollo, the Ellen DeGeneres Show and more! And they are finding ways to give back to the community through their Gold Mind Programs. ECF is excited to help support their upcoming performance at the Winspear Centre on June […]